Patrick J. Ginley Jr.

1918 - 2017

Patrick J. Ginley Jr. passed away peacefully Saturday, July 1, 2017, with his daughters, Mary and Patricia, by his side.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 6, 1918, to parents Patrick J. Ginley and Anna Walsh, and raised in St. Patrick's Parish on Bridge Avenue, where he attended grade school. He graduated from West High School. He told many great stories about growing up in Cleveland.
He joined the Army Air Force on Oct. 9, 1941, and served on a B-24 Liberator Bomber as a tail gunner in the air and a medic on the ground over in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded four ribbons, three Bronze Stars and a World War II Victory medal. Our dad said about the plane when it landed, "As soon as the door opened I jumped out and I kissed the ground and thanked God we made it." He was honorably discharged from active duty Jan. 16 1946.
In 1946-47, he worked as a pipefitter apprentice out of Local 120. Then, in early 1948, he joined the Cleveland police force. During this time, he met the love of his life and lifelong partner, Mary Jane Wolfe. They were married Nov. 3 1949, at Ascension Catholic Church.
He served on the Cleveland police force for 33 years. He was a delegate for the Fraternal Order of the Police. There was always a rumor that during a convention, he put soap in the Cincinnati fountain that produced many bubbles. I asked him once about it; all I got was a smile.
He was a proud member of "RIP," retired Irish police.
He and Mary Jane had nine children, and he worked every part time security job he could get. He was always working to provide for his family. Being a product of the Great Depression, he once said, "If you have an extra nickel, you save it until you need it; don't spend it." He had many fine words of wisdom like that.
His security jobs included the Cleveland Browns football and Cleveland Indians games, protecting the dugout at old Cleveland Municipal stadium; the Barnum and Bailey Circus, and concerts at the public arena, which was great for us kids. If you wanted to spend time with your dad, you had to go. During the '60s and '70s, the players were all blue collar workers. It was cool to see my dad talking to Gene Hickerson, Coach Blanton Collier and others as old friends. His love of the Indians and Browns never wavered, during good or bad times.
He worked so much when we were kids it seemed we only saw him on holidays or family picnics, at our mom's parent's house, and coming in or leaving for work. But he never left for work without a hug and a kiss, and the smell of Old Spice still lingers. He taught us to put family first and gave us a good work ethic. 
In 1977, on a trip to Alaska, while visiting Pat's sons, Mary Jane fell in love with Alaska and told him, "Pat, when you retire, we're moving to Alaska," and, by golly, she was good to her word. Pat retired from the Cleveland police in May 1979, and the house was packed up and they moved up, and in with their son, Kevin, in June 1980 and never moved back.
He worked for Wackenhutt Security on the pipeline for several years and drove the senior bus at the Senior Center. He was the oldest on the bus but he said he "drove old people around." He retired at 80.
Pat and Mary Jane fit in Fairbanks like a round peg in a round hole. They were involved and proud members of the Fraternal Order of the Moose, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and American Legion. He was a bowler in the winter and played competitive horseshoes in summer, winning two state horse shoe championships. When he retired from horse shoes in his 80s, several of his competitors said they were sad he stopped but glad because now someone else had a chance on winning. He was always fond of playing at the Badger Den.
And how Pat and Mary Jane loved to dance. He was always the bell of the ball. He enjoyed going to the Goldpanner baseball games and meeting all the players, and, until recent years, he never missed a Midnight Sun Game.
Our father will be greatly missed but we are so proud he was our dad. We will remember his smile, his respect for others and his joy for being with his kids and grandkids. He had a great sense of humor and many one-liners.
He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Jane Ginley; parents Patrick J. and Anna Ginley; brothers James, William and John Ginley; sister Margret MulCrone; twin sons Joseph and Gerard Ginley; and great friends Bob and Ethel Mulhan Charlie and Joan Wirtz.
He is survived by his children, Penny Lisowski (Chuck), Patrick J. Ginley III (Jacqueline), James H. Ginley, Mary E. McNabb (Eddy), Bryan W. Ginley (Sue), Kevin M. Ginley (Teresa) and Patricia L. Bullard (Virgil);  22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Special thanks for the Pioneers' Home and all of Dad's caregivers. Thank you so much.
Visitation and Rosary will be from 6:30-8 p.m. today, July 6, at Chapel of Chimes. 
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 7, at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by a celebration of life and potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of the Moose Lodge, 10th Avenue. You are welcome to bring a dish and a story to share.
Those who wish to make a donation, please make it to the Pioneer Home of Fairbanks. 
He will be buried in Cleveland, Ohio. Date and time will be announced later.
Please visit www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsminer to sign an online guest book.